Fresh plot as Rivers Sole Administrator, Ibas suspends SSG, other political office holders

…instructs affected officials to hand over to Permanent Secs of respective MDAs

Rivers State has experienced a major shift in its political landscape as Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd), the Sole Administrator of the state, issued a sweeping directive suspending all political officeholders appointed by the embattled former Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

This abrupt administrative overhaul, effective from 26 March 2025, underscores the determination of the Ibas-led administration to restructure the political framework in Rivers State.

The affected officials include the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief of Staff, all Commissioners, chairpersons and members of various boards, councils, agencies, commissions, institutions, and parastatals, as well as Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants.

In a statement issued by the Rivers State Government, the suspension was described as a measure taken in accordance with the authority conferred upon Ibas by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The suspension of these political officeholders is a crucial step in ensuring effective governance and aligning the state administration with the current leadership’s vision,” the statement read.

It further stated: “Effective immediately, the affected individuals are required to hand over their responsibilities to the permanent secretaries within their Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). In instances where a permanent secretary is absent, they must relinquish their offices to the most senior director or head of administration.”

NewsDirect reports that this political reorganisation follows a turbulent period in the state’s governance, particularly after the suspension of Governor Fubara, whose tenure was fraught with controversy.

Ibas, appointed by the federal government, has assumed responsibility for managing the transition in the state’s leadership, ensuring that governance proceeds smoothly under his stewardship.

While the suspension appears to be part of a broader strategy to realign the political structure in Rivers, its implications for the state’s civil service and political dynamics remain uncertain.

Ibas has previously expressed his commitment to steering the state in a new direction, advocating for transparency and accountability in governance.